Not so good bug shots that don't compare to LightSpeed's macros. (not macros though)

[Infinite_Day]

I figured since I rarely put images up I'd put up the two grasshopper shots I'm a little proud of. These took many attempts to get the focus close and there is some noise due to the crop and a tiny amount of sharpening. But it's a grasshoper in flight with a 300mm + 1.4TC - it may not be hard to some but it was hard for me to get them

1.)

DSC_2264_01 by Infinite Day, on Flickr

2.)

DSC_2256_01 by Infinite Day, on Flickr

 

[Overread]

*thread moved down to macro gallery*

because sharp shots of in-flight insects is not counting as beginner level work
Plus macro section needs loving too!


Anyway really cracking shots - its not an easy subject for anyone and grasshoppers are very rare treat to see in flight!

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

To me, that's impressive shooting!

I favor the 3/4 view of the first.

 

[jriepe]

You did a good job capturing the grasshopper in flight. They don't stay in the air for very long when they do take off in flight.

Jerry

 

[MacHoot]

Nice job West Virginian!!

 

[paigew]

wow! who knew grasshoppers flew?

 

[ld3davis]

Very nice. They are difficult to see in flight w/o optics. They are so fast.

 

[Infinite_Day]

Thanks for all the positive feedback everybody. There were a lot of shots that didn't come out well in the group. They don't like to cooperate and you can't get closer than I was or they bolt!

 

[cgipson1]

Nice! They fly for such short hops... that capturing these must have been a booger! Well done!

 

[Judobreaker]

Awesome shots.
I really love that second one.
Makes me think about 'A Bugs Life'... xD

 

[Bossy]

Wow that second one, fav!!! He looks just like the guy on A Bugs Life <3 haha. Its actually really cool, with the coloring like that, makes me think of a fighter jet or the like <3

 

[Markw]

Woah! Sweet! These are examples of some seriously skilled shooting technique! How did you focus? What was the magnification ratio of these? Very, very nicely done.

I'd like to see a different crop of the bottom, though. Something along the lines of this:

But, that's personal preference.

Very well done, indeed. :mrgreen::thumbsup:
Mark

 

[Infinite_Day]

MarkW - these were actually not shot with a macro lens. They were shot with a 300mm f/4 AF-S with 1.4TC. You can imagine how difficult it was to track the buggers hand holding with a longer-ish lens. I was relying on AF but I'd have to pull the metadata to recall exactly what mode I was in. This species of hopper is about 1.5" long. In the dead heat of summer they will briefly - and I do mean briefly - go into a very erratic hover. It's all about timing and shooting bursts. I'd have to look at the metadata (which I can't do on this computer) to be 100% sure but I think I was using AF-C and shooting in high speed bursts when focus was on. There were many that didn't come out at all but there were these and several more that I was very happy with. These two have some of the best focus lock with good positioning of the subject. They are cropped down some but not a ton. I do like the crop you did as well. Better for showing off the subject. I left more background because I was also pleased how I managed to get the background so creamy as well without a bunch of distracting elements.

 

[cgipson1]

but I think I was using AF-C and shooting in high speed bursts when focus was on.

That is similar to how I shoot flying Dragonflies... but I don't use CL or CH burst mode.. just single frame actuation. Fun, isn't it!

 

[sm4him]

Wow, awesome! Not only do they fly, fast, but they are VERY unpredictable! You think they're going to fly off one way and they can turn on a dime and take off a different direction...I can't even imagine being able to capture one in flight and get it that sharply focused! I do prefer the first one, but they are both excellent shots.